Targeted maintenance of computing devices in information technology infrastructure

ABSTRACT

Techniques, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for targeted maintenance of computing devices in a system. A method includes assessing a maintenance request to determine a class of computing devices to which the request applies, selecting a propagation mechanism applicable to the class of computing devices, generating an agent based on the propagation mechanism to carry out the maintenance request on the class of computing devices, deploying the agent on at least one computing device in the class of computing devices, and propagating the agent to additional devices in the class of computing devices.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to information technology(IT), and, more particularly, to IT infrastructure maintenance.

BACKGROUND

In many information technology (IT) infrastructures, updates andmaintenance patches to computing device configurations need to be rolledout frequently to ensure that systems are up-to-date with stableconfigurations and protected from vulnerability. However, due tocomplexities, scale and frequent changes in IT infrastructure during thecourse of service, computing devices can be overlooked in some systems.Once such devices become undiscoverable, they cannot be tracked,maintained or audited. Moreover, such devices are often onlyrediscovered when they cause catastrophic failures.

The cost of non-discoverability of one server can lead to gross servicelevel agreement (SLA) breaches, resulting in potentially significantfinancial losses. This can be particularly problematic because, beingundiscovered, unaccounted server failures are more difficult todiagnose, trace and recover from.

Additionally, complexities in tracking and maintenance of computingdevices in dynamic networks have increased due to an increase ofheterogeneous computing devices. This may leave infrastructurevulnerable to software failures as well as intrusion and exploitation byunwanted programs and/or users.

Existing approaches for infrastructure maintenance include agent-basedmaintenance and management. However, such approaches require knowledgeof the system a priori. Additionally, existing agent-less managementapproaches disadvantageously cannot locate every workstation and serverthat needs to be managed within a system.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present invention, techniques for targetedmaintenance of computing devices in IT infrastructure are provided. Anexemplary computer-implemented method for targeted maintenance ofcomputing devices in a system can include steps of assessing amaintenance request to determine a class of computing devices to whichthe request applies, selecting a propagation mechanism applicable to theclass of computing devices, generating an agent based on the propagationmechanism to carry out the maintenance request on the class of computingdevices, deploying the agent on at least one computing device in theclass of computing devices, and propagating the agent to additionaldevices in the class of computing devices.

In another aspect of the invention, an exemplary computer-implementedmethod for generating an agent to carry out targeted maintenance ofcomputing devices in a system can include steps of instantiating anagent template, updating at least one propagation module on the agenttemplate, configuring the agent template for a targeted class ofcomputing devices for which the maintenance will be carried out based onat least one class feature, inserting code into the agent template thatis to be executed on the targeted class of computing devices, andconfiguring the agent template to have a specified agent lifespan andpropagation rate.

Another aspect of the invention or elements thereof can be implementedin the form of an article of manufacture tangibly embodying computerreadable instructions which, when implemented, cause a computer to carryout a plurality of method steps, as described herein. Furthermore,another aspect of the invention or elements thereof can be implementedin the form of an apparatus including a memory and at least oneprocessor that is coupled to the memory and operative to perform notedmethod steps.

Yet further, another aspect of the invention or elements thereof can beimplemented in the form of means for carrying out the method stepsdescribed herein, or elements thereof; the means can include (i)hardware module(s), (ii) software module(s), or (iii) a combination ofhardware and software modules; any of (i)-(iii) implement the specifictechniques set forth herein, and the software modules are stored in atangible computer-readable storage medium (or multiple such media).

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an agent skeleton, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example IT infrastructure, accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating handling of a new maintenancerequest, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating handling system propagation,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example new patch installation,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a set of flow diagrams illustrating an example scenario,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating techniques for targetedmaintenance of computing devices in a system, according to an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating techniques for generating an agentto carry out targeted maintenance of computing devices in a system,according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a system diagram of an exemplary computer system on which atleast one embodiment of the invention can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described herein, an aspect of the present invention includesdiscovery and targeted maintenance of vulnerable computing devices in ITinfrastructure. At least one embodiment of the invention includespropagating a software code to a set of targeted nodes in a computernetwork through a propagating mechanism. As further detailed herein, thesoftware code can be propagated to nodes in a computer system such thatthe software code is executed only on a class of targeted nodes andself-destructs after a defined expiry time. Further, an aspect of theinvention includes identifying an appropriate propagation mechanismbased on the class of the targeted nodes.

In contrast to disadvantageous existing approaches, at least oneembodiment of the invention does not require knowledge of the system tobe maintained a priori. Additionally, embodiments of the invention canprovide more coverage than agentless-based mechanisms.

As described further herein, when a new discovery or maintenance requestis received, an aspect of the invention includes assessing the requestand determining the class of systems to which the request applies. Apropagation mechanism for the given class of systems is selected and anagent with the appropriate carrier mechanisms and payload is built orgenerated. The mechanism is selected based on a combination of criteriathat can include, for example, the nature of the payload, the expectedconfigurations of the target system class and previous success rates ofmechanisms against similar classes. By way of example, the agent can bean executable compiled and packaged from root carriers, payloadexecutables, and/or other scripts that need to be invoked to managecommunication back to the central management systems and/or thehousekeeping of the target systems on identification.

Additionally, the agent is deployed on seed devices and an aspect of theinvention further includes beginning to spread and propagate the agentat this point. As used herein, seed devices are the devices in thenetwork that may be potentially connected through (or may, in thefuture, be connected directly to) the target systems, or have apossibility of transferring the agents to other carriers who may, inturn, be connected to the target systems. An example can include thelaptop of a system administrator, which is likely to connect to manyservers during job activities of that administrator. The deployment tothe seed device may be carried out either through a central server byusing typical network ports and other holes to propagate the systemsdirectly connected thereto within the vicinity. Such deployment can alsobe carried out in an organized manner, with complete awareness of theowners of the seed devices, by the owners themselves downloading andinstalling the agents.

The spreading or propagating is managed by executable scripts and agentsthat are embedded into the overall agent which triggers this process. Inan example embodiment of the invention, these agents can beself-extracting archives that install certain scheduled scripts or runscheduled tasks to further find potential connected devices andreplicate onto such devices if a vulnerability is found. At least oneembodiment of the invention further includes monitoring and tracking theagent propagation and the rate of propagation across the target systemclass devices.

Agents which are successfully deployed after either breaching throughthe vulnerabilities of carriers and/or target systems, or by manualinstallation by the device owners who help in the spreading of thepayload, run automatic scripts on the devices to send beacons back tothe central monitoring servers. These beacons are transmitted using thead-hoc networks of agents, such that even if the monitoring server isnot connected to the device when the beacon is sent, the beacon can becached by other agents who may observe the beacon and subsequentlyretransmit it.

As the agent discovers a new device, the payload is executed and theagent locally notifies the user and globally notifies the admin if it(that is, the agent) is connected to the network. Additionally, eachpropagated system tries to spread the propagation further. For example,if the class of the potential target device is available to the sourcedevice and does not match the desired target, propagation will not bespread thereto. However, in many cases, the class determination cannotbe carried out at the source device, and thus an effort is made topropagate to any device in the vicinity so that the agents canself-assess the class if deployed on the system. Also, as noted herein,the agent self-destructs after a defined expiry time.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an agent skeleton, according to anembodiment of the present invention. By way of illustration, FIG. 1depicts an agent 102, which includes a carriers component 104 and apayload component 106. The carriers component 104 can includecapabilities such as email, a universal serial bus (USB), floppy disk, anetwork connection, a structured query language (SQL) database, a Wordfile, etc. The payload component 106 includes static components 108 suchas a system scanner 110, a system classifier 112, a network notifierand/or local notifier 114 and a self-destroyer component 116.Additionally, the payload component 106 includes pluggable and/orconfigurable components 118 such as a target system classes component120, a custom code component 122 and an agent lifespan component 124.

By way of illustration, consider the following example. A carrier 104 ofemail is chosen to discover systems in a group of laptops that need anupgrade of certain faulty graphic card firmware. The static components108 which carry out the housekeeping are configured with components 118including, for example, a card model 120 and custom code 122 to run atest on the graphic device driver to check for inconsistencies, crashhistory, and other issues, and according to the outcome, create a pop-upfor a firmware upgrade. Configurable components 118 also include anagent lifespan 124 of three months, after which a new release will bemade. Once an email broadcast is sent to the reachable audience, furtheremail transactions can help propagate the agent to networks which areotherwise unreachable. The static components 108 in these agentstime-out after three months and self-destruct (via component 116) tostop propagating further.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating IT infrastructure, according to anembodiment of the invention. By way of illustration, FIG. 2 depicts aserver 202, which can send emails, application operating system (OS)vulnerabilities, etc. to connected devices 204, which send emails orexecutable files over network file shares to other connected devices206. Additionally, FIG. 2 depicts server 202 deploying agents on storagemedia such as a compact disk, universal serial bus (USB) drive and/orfloppy disk 208, which can retransmit the agents to unconnected devices210.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating handling of a new maintenancerequest, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Step 302includes starting the sequence. Step 304 includes receiving amaintenance request. Step 306 includes building an agent. Step 308includes propagating the relevant organization or system with the agent.Step 310 includes starting tracking of the propagation, and step 312includes stopping or ending the sequence.

As also illustrated in FIG. 3, step 306—building an agent—includesmultiple sub-steps. Accordingly, sub-step 320 includes instantiating anagent template. Sub-step 322 includes updating carrier modules withinformation about the payload and the desired class of systems, as wellas conditions and rules for propagation. Sub-step 324 includesconfiguring target system classes. This step can include asemi-supervised process that is done automatically by identifyingexample target systems, or by manual specification of system attributes(such as device manufacturer, operating system, version, installedsoftware, etc.), or via a combination of the two.

Sub-step 326 includes inserting a custom code into the final packagewhich is to be compiled into the agent. Sub-step 328 includesconfiguring a lifespan and propagation rate for the agent, which caninclude a semi-supervised approach based on initial specificationsprovided by administrators, as well as behavior learned from historicalperformance of similar agents. Further, sub-step 330 includes buildingthe agent package.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating handling system propagation,according to an embodiment of the invention. Step 402 includes startingthe sequence. Step 404 includes contacting the command center prior topropagating the organization/system with an agent. Accordingly, step 406includes determining whether or not the propagation will be allowed. Ifno, the process stops (with step 422). If yes, then step 408 includesscanning and classifying the system. By way of example, propagation maynot be allowed for various reasons such as the agent becoming outdatedor unnecessary due to system changes, the development of new versions ofthe agents, all target systems having been discovered, etc. Thus, it ispreferable to seek permission, if possible, before propagating.

Step 410 includes determining whether a target system class is detected.If yes, step 412 includes triggering a notification (network and local)and step 414 includes executing custom code. If no target system classis detected, the sequences proceeds to step 416 which includesdetermining if a lifespan has expired. If yes, the agent self-destructsin step 420 (and the sequences ends in step 422). If no, the sequenceproceeds to step 418 which includes propagating other systems and lyingdormant until a timeout.

By way of further illustration, consider the following. M is amaintenance request that is to be applied to a targeted class of systems(t₁, t₂ . . . t_(n)) from the set T representing a class S within an ITinfrastructure. An agent template VA_(M) is initiated and instantiatedfor class S using a set of carrier mechanisms, c₁, c₂ . . . c_(k). Asdescribed herein, carrier mechanisms are types of mechanisms throughwhich an agent may propagate, such as file transfers USB drives, webdownloadable executables, Bluetooth® and/or multimedia messaging service(MMS), etc. The set of propagation mechanisms, I, to which the system inclass S is vulnerable is selected. In determining whether a system isvulnerable to a particular propagation mechanism, some elimination canbe done via understanding of device capabilities versus carriermechanisms. For example, MMS cannot be used for desktop servers.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, custom code C_(M) isinserted into the agent template VA_(M) to perform maintenance and otherhousekeeping tasks. Such tasks may include installation of a new patch,running scripts to find installed software, bringing visual pop-ups tonotify administrators of a need for maintenance, etc. The lifespan L_(M)and the propagation spread rate R_(M) of VA_(M) are configured asamounts of time or number of hops. As used herein, one hop is themovement of an agent from one potential target to another, beforereaching the ultimate target on which the agent needs to deploy andexecute the payload. Subsequently, VA_(M) is built and propagation isinitiated on seed systems T_(s) from the targeted system class.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, before each propagation,VA_(M) contacts the command center of the system to obtain authorizationfor propagation. On each system t_(X) to be propagated, the system isscanned and classified. If the system class is equivalent to S, thecustom code of the agent is executed thereupon and a system user(locally) and central admin (globally) are notified. If the system classis not equivalent to S, the agent remains dormant in the system untilthe end of lifespan L_(M) and continues propagating other systems atrate R_(M).

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example new patch installation,according to an embodiment of the present invention. Step 502 includesstarting the sequence. Step 504 includes receiving a maintenance requestto apply patch information (for example, a DB2 on a Windows® server2000). Step 506 includes building an agent. Step 508 includespropagating the relevant organization or system (for example,propagating seed personal computers (PCs) and seed servers). Step 510includes starting tracking of the propagation, and step 512 includesstopping the sequence.

As also illustrated in FIG. 5, step 506—building an agent—includesmultiple sub-steps. Accordingly, sub-step 520 includes instantiating anagent template. Sub-step 522 includes updating carrier modules (forexample, a network, seed PCs and registered DB2® administrators).Sub-step 524 includes configuring target system classes (such as, forexample, Windows® server 2000, DB2®v9.2, JRE 1.5+, etc.). Sub-step 526includes inserting a custom code (such as for example, an ISSI DB2®v9.3upgrade script). Sub-step 528 includes configuring a lifespan, a scanperiod, a propagation rate and a mother ship internet protocol (IP) forthe agent, and sub-step 530 includes building the package.

FIG. 6 is a set of flow diagrams illustrating an example scenario,according to an embodiment of the present invention. By way ofillustration, FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart 600 at day 5 representing afirst run on a target system, a flow chart 630 at day 12 and day 19representing a second and third run, respectively, and a flow chart 650at day 26 representing a fourth run. By way of example, such a timelinerepresents the sequence of activity leading to the outcome of thescheduled periodic runs.

The day 5 flow chart 600 includes the following steps. Step 602 includesstarting the sequence. Step 604 includes contacting the command center(for example, at an example internet protocol IP address of the commandcenter, or via other modes of identification such as a hostname) andwaiting for approval to propagate. Step 606 includes ascertainingwhether or not propagation is permitted. If yes, step 608 includesscanning and/or classifying the system. Step 610 includes determining ifthere is a target system class detected. If yes, step 612 includescontacting the command center and waiting for an update. Step 614includes receiving approval to execute custom code and step 616 includesexecuting the code. Step 618 includes determining if a lifespan hasexpired. If no, step 620 includes propagating other systems and lyingdormant for a one week scan period.

Flow chart 630 includes the following steps. Step 632 includes scanningand/or classifying the system. Step 634 includes determining if a targetsystem class is detected. If no, step 636 includes determining if alifespan has expired. If no, step 638 includes propagating other systemsand lying dormant for a one week scan period.

Flow chart 650 includes the following steps. Step 652 includes scanningand/or classifying the system. Step 654 includes determining if a targetsystem class is detected. If no, step 656 includes determining if alifespan has expired. If yes (that is, the lifespan has expired), step658 includes self-destruction of the agent and stopping the sequence instep 660.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating techniques for targetedmaintenance of computing devices in a system, according to an embodimentof the present invention. Step 702 includes assessing a maintenancerequest to determine a class of computing devices to which the requestapplies. Step 704 includes selecting a propagation mechanism applicableto the class of computing devices.

Step 706 includes generating an agent based on the propagation mechanismto carry out the maintenance request on the class of computing devices.Generating an agent can include, for example, instantiating an agenttemplate, inserting custom code into the agent template, configuring anagent propagation rate at which additional devices in the class ofcomputing devices are targeted for propagation, and configuring an agentlifespan, wherein the agent lifespan is the time period when an agent isactively executing on the class of computing devices. Additionally, inat least one embodiment of the invention, the agent self-destructs atthe expiration of the agent lifespan.

Step 708 includes deploying the agent on at least one computing devicein the class of computing devices. Step 710 includes propagating theagent to additional devices in the class of computing devices.Propagating includes executing code of the agent on each additionalcomputing device upon discovering each of the additional computingdevices.

The techniques depicted in FIG. 7 can also include tracking agentpropagation and rate of propagation across the class of computingdevices. Also, at least one embodiment of the invention includesobtaining pre-propagation authorization from a centralized commandcenter of the system.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating techniques for generating an agentto carry out targeted maintenance of computing devices in a system,according to an embodiment of the invention. Step 802 includesinstantiating an agent template. Step 804 includes updating at least onepropagation module on the agent template. A propagation module caninclude instructions for propagating the agent to a computing device.Also, propagation modules are maintained in a database (that can beperiodically updated).

Step 806 includes configuring the agent template for a targeted class ofcomputing devices for which the maintenance will be carried out based onat least one class feature. Step 808 includes inserting code into theagent template that is to be executed on the targeted class of computingdevices.

Step 810 includes configuring the agent template to have a specifiedagent lifespan and propagation rate. The agent lifespan is the timeperiod when an agent is actively executing on the class of computingdevices. Additionally, in at least one embodiment of the invention, theagent self-destructs at the expiration of the agent lifespan. Also, thepropagation rate is the rate at which devices in the class of computingdevices are targeted for propagation.

The techniques depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 can also, as describedherein, include providing a system, wherein the system includes distinctsoftware modules, each of the distinct software modules being embodiedon a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium. All of themodules (or any subset thereof) can be on the same medium, or each canbe on a different medium, for example. The modules can include any orall of the components shown in the figures and/or described herein. Inan aspect of the invention, the modules can run, for example, on ahardware processor. The method steps can then be carried out using thedistinct software modules of the system, as described above, executingon a hardware processor. Further, a computer program product can includea tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium with code adaptedto be executed to carry out at least one method step described herein,including the provision of the system with the distinct softwaremodules.

Additionally, the techniques depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 can beimplemented via a computer program product that can include computeruseable program code that is stored in a computer readable storagemedium in a data processing system, and wherein the computer useableprogram code was downloaded over a network from a remote data processingsystem. Also, in an aspect of the invention, the computer programproduct can include computer useable program code that is stored in acomputer readable storage medium in a server data processing system, andwherein the computer useable program code is downloaded over a networkto a remote data processing system for use in a computer readablestorage medium with the remote system.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in a computer readable medium havingcomputer readable program code embodied thereon.

An aspect of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in theform of an apparatus including a memory and at least one processor thatis coupled to the memory and operative to perform exemplary methodsteps.

Additionally, an aspect of the present invention can make use ofsoftware running on a general purpose computer or workstation. Withreference to FIG. 9, such an implementation might employ, for example, aprocessor 902, a memory 904, and an input/output interface formed, forexample, by a display 906 and a keyboard 908. The term “processor” asused herein is intended to include any processing device, such as, forexample, one that includes a CPU (central processing unit) and/or otherforms of processing circuitry. Further, the term “processor” may referto more than one individual processor. The term “memory” is intended toinclude memory associated with a processor or CPU, such as, for example,RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), a fixed memorydevice (for example, hard drive), a removable memory device (forexample, diskette), a flash memory and the like. In addition, the phrase“input/output interface” as used herein, is intended to include, forexample, a mechanism for inputting data to the processing unit (forexample, mouse), and a mechanism for providing results associated withthe processing unit (for example, printer). The processor 902, memory904, and input/output interface such as display 906 and keyboard 908 canbe interconnected, for example, via bus 910 as part of a data processingunit 912. Suitable interconnections, for example via bus 910, can alsobe provided to a network interface 914, such as a network card, whichcan be provided to interface with a computer network, and to a mediainterface 916, such as a diskette or CD-ROM drive, which can be providedto interface with media 918.

Accordingly, computer software including instructions or code forperforming the methodologies of the invention, as described herein, maybe stored in associated memory devices (for example, ROM, fixed orremovable memory) and, when ready to be utilized, loaded in part or inwhole (for example, into RAM) and implemented by a CPU. Such softwarecould include, but is not limited to, firmware, resident software,microcode, and the like.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode will include at least one processor 902 coupled directly orindirectly to memory elements 904 through a system bus 910. The memoryelements can include local memory employed during actual implementationof the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which providetemporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce thenumber of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage duringimplementation.

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards 908,displays 906, pointing devices, and the like) can be coupled to thesystem either directly (such as via bus 910) or through intervening I/Ocontrollers (omitted for clarity).

Network adapters such as network interface 914 may also be coupled tothe system to enable the data processing system to become coupled toother data processing systems or remote printers or storage devicesthrough intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem andEthernet cards are just a few of the currently available types ofnetwork adapters.

As used herein, including the claims, a “server” includes a physicaldata processing system (for example, system 912 as shown in FIG. 9)running a server program. It will be understood that such a physicalserver may or may not include a display and keyboard.

As noted, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in a computer readable medium havingcomputer readable program code embodied thereon. Also, any combinationof computer readable media may be utilized. The computer readable mediummay be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storagemedium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but notlimited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared,or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer readable storage medium would include thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device,or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of thisdocument, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible mediumthat can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing an appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of at least oneprogramming language, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. Accordingly, an aspect of the inventionincludes an article of manufacture tangibly embodying computer readableinstructions which, when implemented, cause a computer to carry out aplurality of method steps as described herein.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, component, segment,or portion of code, which comprises at least one executable instructionfor implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also benoted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted inthe block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example,two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

It should be noted that any of the methods described herein can includean additional step of providing a system comprising distinct softwaremodules embodied on a computer readable storage medium; the modules caninclude, for example, any or all of the components detailed herein. Themethod steps can then be carried out using the distinct software modulesand/or sub-modules of the system, as described above, executing on ahardware processor 902. Further, a computer program product can includea computer-readable storage medium with code adapted to be implementedto carry out at least one method step described herein, including theprovision of the system with the distinct software modules.

In any case, it should be understood that the components illustratedherein may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, orcombinations thereof, for example, application specific integratedcircuit(s) (ASICS), functional circuitry, an appropriately programmedgeneral purpose digital computer with associated memory, and the like.Given the teachings of the invention provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the related art will be able to contemplate otherimplementations of the components of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition ofanother feature, integer, step, operation, element, component, and/orgroup thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

At least one aspect of the present invention may provide beneficialeffects such as, for example, identifying an appropriate propagationmechanism based on a class of targeted nodes and propagating a softwarecode to the targeted nodes based on the identified propagationmechanism.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for targeted maintenance of computingdevices in a system, the method comprising: assessing a maintenancerequest to determine a class of computing devices to which the requestapplies; selecting a propagation mechanism, from multiple propagationmechanisms, to apply to the class of computing devices based on multipleparameters, wherein said multiple parameters comprise an expectedconfiguration of the class of computing devices and a previous successrate of one or more propagation mechanisms applied to the class ofcomputing devices; generating an agent based on the propagationmechanism to carry out the maintenance request on the class of computingdevices; wherein said generating comprises: instantiating an agenttemplate and inserting custom code into the agent; configuring an agentlifespan, wherein the agent lifespan is the time period when an agent isactively executing on the class of computing devices; and configuring anagent propagation rate at which additional devices in the class ofcomputing devices are targeted for propagation; deploying the agent onat least one computing device in the class of computing devices; andpropagating the agent to additional devices in the class of computingdevices; wherein at least one of the steps of assessing, selecting,generating, deploying, and propagating is carried out by a computerdevice.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising tracking agent propagationand rate of propagation across the class of computing devices.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said propagating comprises executing code ofthe agent on each additional computing device upon discovering each ofthe additional computing devices.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein saidgenerating comprises instantiating an agent template.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein said generating comprises inserting custom code intothe agent template.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said generatingcomprises configuring an agent lifespan, wherein the agent lifespan isthe time period when an agent is actively executing on the class ofcomputing devices.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the agentself-destructs at the expiration of the agent lifespan.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said generating comprises configuring an agentpropagation rate at which additional devices in the class of computingdevices are targeted for propagation.
 9. The method of claim 1,comprising obtaining pre-propagation authorization from a centralizedcommand center of the system.
 10. An article of manufacture comprising acomputer readable storage medium having computer readable instructionstangibly embodied thereon which, when implemented, cause a computer tocarry out a plurality of method steps comprising: assessing amaintenance request to determine a class of computing devices to whichthe request applies; selecting a propagation mechanism, from multiplepropagation mechanisms, to apply to the class of computing devices basedon multiple parameters, wherein said multiple parameters comprise anexpected configuration of the class of computing devices and a previoussuccess rate of one or more propagation mechanisms applied to the classof computing devices; generating an agent based on the propagationmechanism to carry out the maintenance request on the class of computingdevices; wherein said generating comprises: instantiating an agenttemplate and inserting custom code into the agent; configuring an agentlifespan, wherein the agent lifespan is the time period when an agent isactively executing on the class of computing devices; and configuring anagent propagation rate at which additional devices in the class ofcomputing devices are targeted for propagation; deploying the agent onat least one computing device in the class of computing devices; andpropagating the agent to additional devices in the class of computingdevices.
 11. The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the methodsteps comprise tracking agent propagation and rate of propagation acrossthe class of computing devices.
 12. The article of manufacture of claim10, wherein said propagating comprises executing code of the agent oneach additional computing device upon discovering each of the additionalcomputing devices.
 13. The article of manufacture of claim 10, whereinsaid generating comprises instantiating an agent template.
 14. Thearticle of manufacture of claim 13, wherein said generating comprisesinserting custom code into the agent template.
 15. The article ofmanufacture of claim 10, wherein said generating comprises configuringan agent lifespan, wherein the agent lifespan is the time period when anagent is actively executing on the class of computing devices.
 16. Thearticle of manufacture of claim 15, wherein the agent self-destructs atthe expiration of the agent lifespan.
 17. The article of manufacture ofclaim 10, wherein said generating comprises configuring an agentpropagation rate at which additional devices in the class of computingdevices are targeted for propagation.
 18. The article of manufacture ofclaim 10, wherein the method steps comprise obtaining pre-propagationauthorization from a centralized command center of the system.
 19. Asystem for targeted maintenance of computing devices in a system,comprising: at least one distinct software module, each distinctsoftware module being embodied on a tangible computer-readable medium; amemory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and operativefor: assessing a maintenance request to determine a class of computingdevices to which the request applies; selecting a propagation mechanism,from multiple propagation mechanisms, to apply to the class of computingdevices based on multiple parameters, wherein said multiple parameterscomprise an expected configuration of the class of computing devices anda previous success rate of one or more propagation mechanisms applied tothe class of computing devices; generating an agent based on thepropagation mechanism to carry out the maintenance request on the classof computing devices; wherein said generating comprises: instantiatingan agent template and inserting custom code into the agent; configuringan agent lifespan, wherein the agent lifespan is the time period when anagent is actively executing on the class of computing devices; andconfiguring an agent propagation rate at which additional devices in theclass of computing devices are targeted for propagation; deploying theagent on at least one computing device in the class of computingdevices; and propagating the agent to additional devices in the class ofcomputing devices.
 20. A method for generating an agent to carry outtargeted maintenance of computing devices in a system, the methodcomprising: assessing a maintenance request to determine a targetedclass of computing devices to which the maintenance request applies;instantiating an agent template associated with a propagation mechanism,selected from multiple propagation mechanisms to apply to the targetedclass of computing devices based on multiple parameters, wherein saidmultiple parameters comprise an expected configuration of the class ofcomputing devices and a previous success rate of one or more propagationmechanisms applied to the class of computing devices; updating at leastone propagation module on the agent template; configuring the agenttemplate for the targeted class of computing devices for which themaintenance request will be carried out based on at least one classfeature; inserting code into the agent template that is to be executedon the targeted class of computing devices; configuring the agenttemplate to have a specified agent lifespan, wherein the agent lifespanis the time period when an agent is actively executing on the targetedclass of computing devices; configuring the agent template to have aspecified agent propagation rate at which additional devices in thetargeted class of computing devices are targeted for propagation; andpropagating the agent template to additional devices in the targetedclass of computing devices; wherein at least one of the steps ofassessing, selecting, generating, deploying, and propagating is carriedout by a computer device.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the atleast one propagation module includes instructions for propagating theagent to a computing device.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the atleast one propagation module is maintained in a database.
 23. The methodof claim 20, wherein the agent lifespan is the time period when an agentis actively executing on the class of computing devices.
 24. The methodof claim 23, wherein the agent self-destructs at the expiration of theagent lifespan.
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein the propagation rateis the rate at which devices in the class of computing devices aretargeted for propagation.